North Korean troops are inching closer to combat in Ukraine. At least 10,000 soldiers have been sent to Russia to fight Ukrainians, but until recently, their status had not been clarified by Western sources. It was thought they may be there in an advisory role or to be trained by the Russian military for several weeks. But during a briefing to reporters by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on October 30, the United States has a better handle on what the North Koreans are actually doing.
Troop Movement to the Front
Two thousand North Korean troops have been deployed toward the front lines after receiving some indoctrination training in Eastern Russia at three military installations. They will be outfitted in Russian army uniforms and gear. A smaller group will be sent to the Kursk region to attempt to take back territory the Ukrainians have seized in that Russian oblast.
“There’s a good likelihood that these groups will be introduced into combat,” Austin said. The SECDEF was addressing journalists alongside South Korea’s defense minister, Kim Yong Hyun, who is in the nation’s capital.
Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un: Partnership Up to No Good
North Korea’s ties to Russia are growing. There have been several meetings between Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) has sent eight million howitzer shells and other equipment to Russia.
Putin and Kim have agreed to a mutual defense pact. The DPRK is getting a sweetheart deal from the Russians. In exchange for the personnel, shells, and other ammunition, the Russians are providing the North Koreans with “advanced technology on tactical nuclear weapons, reconnaissance satellites, intercontinental ballistic missiles and nuclear submarines,” according to the South Korean defense minister.
The South Koreans are greatly concerned by the Russian-North Korean partnership and are considering sending their own military aid to Ukraine, which would broaden the proxy war in Ukraine considerably.
SECDEF Says It Is Open Season on North Korean Soldiers
Austin believes the North Korean troops will be targeted like any other Russian on the battlefield. “It does have the potential of lengthening the conflict or broadening the conflict if that continues,” Austin said of the DPRK soldiers. “If they do, he said, “they would be fair targets for Ukrainian soldiers, including with American-provided weapons.”
Kim Playing His Cards Like a Pro
Kim Jong Un is thrilled at how well he has played his hand. His country has long suffered under international sanctions and has been treated as a pariah to be scorned. The police state has long been short hard currency and has not made inroads at making friends and allies. Now the partnership with Russia has quickly borne fruit.
What the Russia-North Korean Nexus Means
Kim is getting assistance with his nuclear program and ICBMs. His troops will get valuable combat experience. North Korea is becoming more powerful by the day. The South Koreans are caught on the back foot and playing defense. The Republic of Korea government cannot stop the North Korean alliance with Russia, and they are frustrated.
Does the U.S. Even Care That Much?
The United States is taking the North Korean deployment and Russia partnership in stride, at least publicly. They are spinning it by saying the Russians are desperate for manpower and that the North Korean troops will enter into a meat grinder and face high casualties.
North Korea Has Many Points on the Scoreboard
But these developments should be seen as a massive win for North Korea, even if they lost all of their troops fighting in Ukraine and Russia. There are many more soldiers that Kim could send to cement his alliance with Russia. The Kremlin is happy for the help and assisting the DPRK with military and nuclear technology is easy for the Russians.
DPRK with Ballistic Missile Test
To top it off, North Korea just tested an ICBM on October 30. They haven’t conducted a test launch in almost a year. Many analysts, including those at the National Security Journal, thought that the test would not come until around the U.S. presidential election in November. So, Kim has taken the initiative again.
This is a fast moving situation. The Russians and North Koreans are bosom buddies, and the United States does not seem to be concerned. A new U.S. president must make some diplomatic overtures to Kim before the North Koreans completely throw their lot in with Russia and leave the Americans and South Koreans in the dust.
About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood
Brent M. Eastwood, PhD, is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.

404NotFound
October 31, 2024 at 6:33 pm
This llyod austin guy is worse than joseph Goebbels.
The south Koreans, some of the extreme types, can’t wait for war to break out today, or right now, and this lloyd austin is there to stroke and stir up their war pangs.
So, if north Koreans are going to Russia now to fight ukro neo-nazis, why should south Koreans care.
South Koreans want peace and other great meaningful things in life, not the extreme political tensions and daily chaos promised by people like Lloyd Austin who can’t even protect or stand up for colored citizens back in his own country.
In america, living in the land of uncle sam is dangerous by default for the minority peoples, especially for black Americans.
So, what’s this Lloyd austin guy doing over here in Asia.
Go back and change the terrible situation at home where incidentally there’s an election coming in just a few days’ time.
Pingback: What North Korea’s partnership with Russia means for US strategy – Thedoghousespa
Pingback: What North Korea’s partnership with Russia means for US strategy – Chaudronnerie-cmm
Pingback: A Psychological Operations Strategy for the Korean Peninsula from Lessons Learned in Ukraine - NationalSecurityJournal